Health promotion

Abstract

Overview The notion of health promotion has undergone considerable change over the course of its evolution as it responds to emerging needs, particularly in health development and for vulnerable groups. Because it is an important field of practice for community nurses, it is necessary to clarify what it means today and how the term is related to other concepts. This chapter begins with a section that clarifies the meanings of a number of different terms that are frequently used in the context of discussing health promotion. The important role that the World Health Organization (WHO) has played in the development of health promotion is then examined, together with the ensuing landmark documents that lay down the foundations for its practice. Expected outcomes and suggested evaluation criteria for measuring the success of health promotion strategies are then identified. Finally, the primacy of nursing's role in health promotion is discussed. Objectives When you have read this chapter, you should be able to: define health promotion; understand the relationship between health promotion and health development, disease prevention and health education; discuss the theoretical foundations and strategies for health promotion; identify a range of health promotion outcomes; discuss the role of nurses in health promotion.